Target game

ABSTRACT

An amusement game device which has a slightly tilted surface over which a playing object may be propelled with a bumper rail substantially surrounding the playing surface. A propelling device is mounted at one end of the playing surface for propelling balls or other playing objects over the surface in various aimed directions, toward the opposite end of the playing surface. The ball propelling device is axially mounted for rotation in aiming direction. A target positioning member is mounted on the playing surface at the end opposite the ball propelling device. A plurality of upstanding target members are suspended from the target positioning member in the path of propelled balls. The target suspending structure is resilient so that each target may move in a vertical plane. Each target includes a target anchoring member which may be removably attached to a lower portion of the target positioning member so as to be contactable by a propelled object. When the target anchoring member is struck by a propelled object it is detached from the target positioning member and the target moves upwardly at the urging of the resilient target suspending structure. The target is thus removed from the game.

United States Patent 1 1 Breslow et a1.

1 1 Sept. 30, 1975 1 1 TARGET GAME [73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 426,797

[52] US. Cl. 273/119 A; 273/127 R; 273/129 [51 Int. Cl.' A63D 3/02 [58] Field of Search 273/41, 108, 109, 110,

273/111, 118 R, 118 A, 119 R, 119 A, 120 R, 120 A, 121 R, 121 A, 122 R, 122 A, 125 R, 125 A, 127 R, 127 A, 127 B, 127 C, 127

Primary E.\'uminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant E.\'uminerR. T. Stouffer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Coffee & Sweeney [57 ABSTRACT An amusement game device which has a slightly tilted surface over which a playing object may be propelled with a bumper rail substantially surrounding the playing surface. A propelling device is mounted at one end of the playing surface for propelling balls or other playing objects over the surface in various aimed directions, toward the opposite end of the playing surface. The ball propelling device is axially mounted for rotation in aiming direction. A target positioning member is mounted on the playing surface at the end opposite the ball propelling device. A plurality of upstanding target members are suspended from the target positioning member in the path of propelled balls. The target suspending structure is resilient so that each target may move in a vertical plane. Each target includes a target anchoring member which may be removably attached to a lower portion of the target positioning member so as to be contactable by a propelled object. When the target anchoring member is struck by a propelled object it is detached from the target positioning member and the target moves upwardly at the urging of the resilient target suspending structure. The target is thus removed from the game.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures m U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,908,997

Na ww U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,997

TARGET GAME BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a skill-type game designed for the entertainment of the player and for developing dexterity and coordination of the individual player as well as competition between a plurality of players. The invention relates. more particularly, to game boards of the surface projectile type which require skill both in aiming and manipulating the propulsion of a playing object propelling device and specifically to such a game board having a playing surface bounded by bumper rail means.

As is known, surface projectile-type games conventionally include a playing surface over which balls or other playing objects may be propelled toward various target means disposed at selected positions on or about the playing surface. Cushion or resilient-type bumper rail means substantially surround the playing surface against which balls or other playing objects are bounced toward the target means. In playing such games elongated shafts commonly called cue sticks are conventionally utilized by players as propulsion means for manual movement longitudinally thereof to strike a ball with one end of the cue stick. In other such games, mechanized ball or object propelling devices are utilized. In still other games, movable target devices may be employed as means for scoring the game. There is a constant need of new and improved games of the character described which are readily understood by most individuals, particularly children.

It is an object therefore. of the present invention to provide a new and improved amusement game device of the character described.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a ball propelling device is pivotally mounted for 360 rotation in a spinning motion on the playing surface. The propelling device is driven by an electrical motor which, through electrical switching means, may be reversed so that the propelling device may be spun in either direction at relatively rapid speed. By means of the propelling device. balls may be propelled over the playing surface in various directions away from the propelling device into contact with one of a plurality of target members.

The target members are suspended from a target positioning member which is located in the path of the propelled balls. The target members are suspended by a resilient connector. such as a rubberband. from an upper portion of the target positioning member. A target anchoring means is provided in the shape of a hook device that may be hooked under a lower portion of the target positioning means. The anchoring means positions the target in a lowermost position with the resilient suspending means under tension. The target anchoring means may be struck by a propelled ball. Upon contact of the ball with the target anchoring means, it is dislodged from its hooked position and the target is moved upwardly in response to the resilient force of the resilient connector.

The direction of rotation of the propelling device is controlled by a switching arrangement which includes a lever which is provided with a pair of depressable pad-like portions. When the lever is depressed in one direction, the propelling device will rotate clockwise. When the lever is depressed in the other direction, the

propelling device will rotate counterclockwise. This gives the operator control of the direction of rotation of the propelling device and thus a degree of aiming in propelling the balls toward the various targets.

Disposed behind the target positioning member is an upper ball reservoir which can contain a plurality of balls. A ball release mechanism is provided so that the balls are put in play one at a time. The ball release mechanism includes a second lever which, when depressed, will eject a ball from a stop provided in the front of the ball reservoir. The stop is in the form of an upstanding peg mounted in the playing surface immediately in front of the ball reservoir so that when a ball is ejected it cannot roll directly back to the ball propelling device but will take an angular direction from one side or the other of the playing surface.

A lower reservoir is provided behind the ball propelling device which is adapted to collect balls that get past the ball propelling device.

Thus, in operation of the game, the operator would release a ball from the upper reservoir and immediately actuate the ball propelling device in one direction or another thereby attempting to propel a ball to strike a target anchoring means thereby removing a target from play. When the operator has either removed all targets from play or used up the supply of balls his turn is over. and another operator may play.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amusement game device made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view partially broken away, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional perspective view of the targets shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring arrangement for the drive motor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in greater detail and first to FIG. I, the amusement game device 10 of the present invention includes a supporting structure 11 which surrounds a playing surface 12. The supporting structure 11 and the playing surface 12 may be made of any conventional plastic material. Stabilizing wings 13 extend from the sidewalls of the supporting structure 11 so that the game may be placed on a table or other surface and be steady during play.

The playing surface 12 is generally of a truncated triangular shape and is tilted as is shown in FIG. 2 so that the playing balls 14 will roll downwardly.

The upper portion Ila of the supporting structure 11 comprises a bumper rail which surrounds most of the playing surface. Bumper rail llu may be padded with a resilient material if desired, however, such a construction is not necessary as the ball will rebound from the plastic surface itself. Located adjacent the lower end of the playing surface 12 is a guard overhang 15 which is joined at 15a to the supporting structure 11. The overhand 15 prevents returning balls from jumping out of the game rather than descending or being deflected into the lower reservoir 16 which will be more fully described later.

The propelling device comprises a paddle member 17 which has outer ball striking areas 171! and 17b. The paddle member is attached to a pin 18 which is journalled in the playing surface at 19 for free rotation.

The paddle member 17 is driven by a conventional electric motor 20 which is positioned beneath the playing surface 12. The electric motor 20 is encased in a container 21 which is attached to the underside of the playing surface 12 by means of screws 22 which threadedly engage a post 23 depending from the lower surface of the playing structure 12. The container 21 has an upper surface 24 which has a rearwardly extending tab 241:. The lower portion of the paddle member supporting pin 18 abuts the surface 24 which acts as a thrust bearing for the pin. A drive shaft 25 of the motor extends through the upper surface 24 by means of an aperture therein and has attached to its outer end a gear 26. The pin 18 of the paddle member also supports a gear 27 which is drivingly connected in a step-down relationship with the gear 26 so that driving force from the motor 20 may be imparted to the paddle member 17. A spacer 28 is located between the gear 27 and the lower or underside of the playing surface 12 so as to permanently locate the gear 27 in driving contact with the motor gear 26.

The direction of the rotation of the motor 20 is controlled by a lever 29 and an electrical switch 30 as is more clearly seen in H05. 3 and 6. The switch includes a positive post 31 and a negative post 32 which are connectcd through conventional wiring to a pair of batteries 33. A motor post 34 is connected through conventional wiring to the electric motor 20 which in turn is connected through conventional wiring to the batteries 33. Thus, it will be seen that contact between the motor post 34 and either the positive post 31 or the negative post 32 will drive the electric motor. Contact with the positive post 31 will drive the motor in one direction. Contact with the negative post 32 will drive the motor in the opposite direction. The posts 31 and 32 are riveted to the surface of the lever 29. The motor post 34 is riveted to the underside of the lower reservoir 16. The lever 29 is positioned in a slot 35 in the side walls of the supporting structure 1]. Depending downwardly from the underside of the lower reservoir 16 are a pair of tabs 36 and 37. A pin 38 is positioned between the two tabs 36 and 37. The lower surface of the pin 38 abuts the upper surface of the lever 29 between the posts 31 and 32. A leaf spring 39 is attached by screws 40 to the tab 37. The ends of the leaf spring 39 abut the underside of the lever 29 urging it against the pin 38 so that the lever 29 may rotate about the pin 38 within the confines of the slots 35. The outer ends of the lever 29 protrude beyond the supporting structure 11 and include pads 41:: and 41b which may be contacted by the operator. Thus, it can be seen that if the operator depresses the pad 41/; in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3) that the lever 29 will rotate about the pin 38 thereby bringing the post 31 in contact with the motor post 34 completing the circuit and driving the motor which in turn will spin the paddle member 17 in one direction. Depression of the pad 410 in the direction of arrow B will spin the paddle member in the opposite direction.

Targets 42 are located at the end of the playing surface 12 opposite the paddle member 17. A target unit includes a positioning member given the general number 43. The positioning member includes an upper portion 44 and a lower portion 45. The upper and lower portion 44 and 45 are similar to the rails of a fence and the targets 42 appear between them. The upper sur faces of the upper portion 44 and the lower portion 45 are irregular to give an artistic or interesting effect to the target area. Thus, it can be seen that there are depressed areas 450 and raised areas 45b in the lower portion 45 which give the lower portion an irregular appearance. The upper portion 44 also includes a number of holes 46 the purpose for which will be explained later.

The positioning member 43 is supported on the playing surface 12 by means of a plurality of pegs 47. The pegs are held in holes in the playing surface 12 by conventional means. The space between adjacent pegs 47 is large enough to permit the passage of a playing ball 14.

The targets 42 are flat in nature and made of a lightweight material. ln shape they conform roughly to that of the figure which is artistically depicted thereon which as shown may be an animal or the like. The upper portion of the target has a hole 48. A rubberband or some other resilient suspending means 49 is connected through the hole 48 to the target and then is connected through the holes 46 to the upper portion 44. Thus, the targets are resiliently suspended from the upper portion 44. The lower portion of the targets includes an anchoring member 50, which is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, has an upper hook-shaped edge a. The hook-shaped edge is designed to be hooked under a lower edge 450 of the lower portion 45 thus locating the targets 42 in their downwardmost positions. In this.

position the suspending means 49 in under tension. It will further be noted that the outer surface of the an choring member 50 is located between two pegs 47 so that it is readily available to be struck by a ball 14.

A plurality of balls 14 are provided for the game. At the beginning of the game these balls are located in a ball reservoir 51 at the upper or rear portion of the playing surface 12. The balls 14 tend to roll out of the reservoir 51 and down the playing surface 12. However, a hole 52 in the playing surface receives and holds the first ball 14 and thus prevents the remainder of the balls from rolling out of the reservoir 51.

The balls 14 are ejected from the hole 52 and thereby put into play by means of an ejector 53. Tabs 54 extending downwardly from the underside of the playing surface 12 receive a pin 55 which rotatably supports the ejector 53. The ejector 53 normally is maintained in a downward position by means of a weight 56. The ejector has a hook-shaped end 530 which is designed to enter the hole 52 and contact the underside of any ball resting therein thereby dislodging it so that the ball may enter the field of play. A peg 57 is located on the playing surface immediately in front of the hole 52. thereby preventing any ejected ball 14 from rolling directly down the playing surface 12. Thus. the ball will goeither to the right or to the left of the pin 57 giving the operator a better chance to strike the ball with the paddle member 17.

The ejector mechanism is actuated by a lever system, generally designated 58. The lever system 58 includes frame 59 with an outstanding L-shaped arm 60 attached thereto. The end portion 60a of the L-shaped arm abuts the underside of the ejector 53. The frame member 59 includes two outwardly extending pins 61 which are journalled for rotation in tabs 62 which extend downwardly from the underside of the playing surface 12. Thus, the frame member 59 rotates about the pins 61. At the rearward portion of the frame 59 are outwardly extending lever arms 63 which pass through slots 64 in the supporting structure 11 so that the ends of the lever arms 63 are outside the supporting structure. Pads 65 are attached to the outer lever arms 63 so that they may be contacted by the operator. Thus. when the operator wishes to eject a ball into play. he merely depresses either of the pads 65 thereby rotating the frame 59 around the pins 61 which causes the L- shaped arm 60 through its end 60a to abut the ejector 53 thereby dislodging the next ball 14. On release of the pads 65 the weight 56 will cause the ejector and the frame 59 to assume their original position.

As mentioned earlier. a lower reservoir 16 is provided beneath and behind the paddle member 17. This lower reservoir is designed to receive balls 14 which pass by the paddle member 17 so that the balls do not roll out of the game. When all of the balls 14 are in the lower reservoir or all of the targets 42 are dislodged from their lower position, the game is over.

As can be seen therefrom from the foregoing description, the game is played by dislodging a ball 14 using the ejector 53. The ball then rolls down the playing surface 12 and may be contacted by the paddle member 17. The operator depresses the pads 41a and 41/2 in either direction to actuate the paddle member 17 so that its ball striking areas 1711 or 17d drive the ball back up toward the targets. When the ball strikes the anchor member 50 of a target 42 the target will be dislodged from its hooked or downward position and, through the resilient suspension 49, will jump to its upper position, that target then being out of play. Continued play either dislodges all of the targets 42 or uses up all of the balls 14.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An amusement game device, comprising:

a playing surface surrounded by a bumper rail upon which a ball may be propelled, said playing surface being tilted and having an upper and lower end;

a playing ball designed to be propelled upon such playing surface;

a ball propelling device located adjacent said playing surface and comprising an electrically driven reversibly rotatable paddlejournalled on an axis substantially perpendicular to and passing through said playing surface. said propelling device being located adjacent the lower end of said playing surface and being adapted to propel said playing ball in various directions upon such playing surface;

a target positioning member mounted transversely to said playing surface adjacent the upper end thereof and including upper and lower bar portions, said target positioning member being supported on said playing surface by a plurality of pegs, the space between said pegs being wider than the diameter of said playing ball;

a plurality of targets suspended from such target positioning member by means of resilient connectors attached to said target and said upper bar portion. said targets including lower hook shaped portions adapted to be hooked under said lower bar portion whereby the lower portion of said target will appear between a pair of said mounting pegs with said resilient connector being under tension so that when said lower target portion is struck by a propelled playing ball, said target will be unhooked from said lower bar portion and moved to an upper position out of play;

said playing surface having upper and lower ball reservoirs located respectively behind said target positioning member and said propelling device, said upper reservoir being adapted to hold a plurality of playing balls, an aperture in front of said target positioning member, said aperture being adapted to receive and hold a ball coming from said upper reservoir whereby that ball and any other balls in said upper reservoir are prevented from rolling down said playing surface; and

means for ejecting said ball from said aperture comprising a lever pivotally mounted beneath such playing surface and having an upwardly extending tip adapted to enter said aperture to eject said ball when said lever is actuated thereby placing said ball in play.

2. An amusement game device. comprising:

means defining a tilted playing surface upon which a playing object may be propelled, said playing surface having an upper end and a lower end;

a ball to be propelled upon said playing surface;

a ball propelling device located in proximity to said playing surface near the lower end thereof so as to be capable of propelling a ball upon said playing surface, said propelling device being manually manipulatable to effect propelling of said ball in various directions upon the playing surface;

a target positioning member mounted on the playing surface near the upper end thereof capable of positioning the target in a plurality of positions;

a target suspended from said target positioning memher, said target including target anchoring means for releasably anchoring said target in the path of said ball when propelled by said propelling device. whereby said target is moved to another position when struck by said ball;

an upper ball reservoir located behind said target positioning member;

a lower ball reservoir located behind said propelling device;

an aperture formed in said playing surface in front of said upper reservoir and designed to receive said ball therefrom; and

means for ejecting said ball from said aperture thereby placing the ball in play.

3. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said last named means comprises a lever pivotally mounted beneath said playing surface and having an upwardly extending tip adapted to enter said aperture to eject said ball when said lever is actuated. 

1. An amusement game device, comprising: a playing surface surrounded by a bumper rail upon which a ball may be propelled, said playing surface being tilted and having an upper and lower end; a playing ball designed to be propelled upon such playing surface; a ball propelling device located adjacent said playing surface and comprising an electrically driven reversibly rotatable paddle journalled on an axis substantially perpendicular to and passing through said playing surface, said propelling device being located adjacent the lower end of said playing surface and being adapted to propel said playing ball in various directions upon such playing surface; a target positioning member mounted transversely to said playing surface adjacent the upper end thereof and including upper and lower bar portions, said target positioning member being supported on said playing surface by a plurality of pegs, the space between said pegs being wider than the diameter of said playing ball; a plurality of targets suspended from such target positioning member by means of resilient connectors attached to said target and said upper bar portion, said targets including lower hook shaped portions adapted to be hooked under said lower bar portion whereby the lower portion of said target will appear between a pair of said mounting pegs with said resilient connector being under tension so that when said lower target portion is struck by a propelled playing ball, said target will be unhooked from said lower bar portion and moved to an upper position out of play; said playing surface having upper and lower ball reservoirs located respectively behind said target positioning member and said propelling device, said upper reservoir being adapted to hold a plurality of playing balls, an aperture in front of said target positioning member, said aperture Being adapted to receive and hold a ball coming from said upper reservoir whereby that ball and any other balls in said upper reservoir are prevented from rolling down said playing surface; and means for ejecting said ball from said aperture comprising a lever pivotally mounted beneath such playing surface and having an upwardly extending tip adapted to enter said aperture to eject said ball when said lever is actuated thereby placing said ball in play.
 2. An amusement game device, comprising: means defining a tilted playing surface upon which a playing object may be propelled, said playing surface having an upper end and a lower end; a ball to be propelled upon said playing surface; a ball propelling device located in proximity to said playing surface near the lower end thereof so as to be capable of propelling a ball upon said playing surface, said propelling device being manually manipulatable to effect propelling of said ball in various directions upon the playing surface; a target positioning member mounted on the playing surface near the upper end thereof capable of positioning the target in a plurality of positions; a target suspended from said target positioning member, said target including target anchoring means for releasably anchoring said target in the path of said ball when propelled by said propelling device, whereby said target is moved to another position when struck by said ball; an upper ball reservoir located behind said target positioning member; a lower ball reservoir located behind said propelling device; an aperture formed in said playing surface in front of said upper reservoir and designed to receive said ball therefrom; and means for ejecting said ball from said aperture thereby placing the ball in play.
 3. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said last named means comprises a lever pivotally mounted beneath said playing surface and having an upwardly extending tip adapted to enter said aperture to eject said ball when said lever is actuated. 